Gaga opened Sunday's show in drag, smoking a cigarette, delivering a monologue before taking to the piano and belting out her song "You and I."

Later in the night, she presented the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award to Spears after a homage that included her hit songs "Crazy," "Toxic," and the one that started it all, "Baby One More Time." The pair then introduced Beyonce to the stage, who gave a show-stopping performance of "Love on Top." But it was the end of the routine that had fans screaming when she undid her shirt showing off a belly band, alluding to a baby bump.

Of course there were also awards handed out. Lady Gaga won the inaugural Best Video with a Message and Best Female Video, both for "Born This Way." Tyler the Creator was crowned Best New Artist and the top award for Video of the Year went to Katy Perry for "Firework."